Abstract
To improve knowledge of the lipid component of ewes’ colostrum, we took individual samples from seven Massese ewes, reared on the same farm, homogeneous in terms of parity and feed, and kept indoors from 10 d before partum. Samples were taken during the first 15 d lactation, starting 10 h post partum. Colostrum from the first 10 h post partum showed high contents of dry matter (24.58%), fat (8.21%), proteins (12.44%), solids-not-fat (16.95%), a large average diameter of fat globules (4.07 μm), and high monounsaturated fatty acids (36.17% of total fatty acids) and essential fatty acid percentages (C20:3, C20:4 and C22:6). The amounts of lactose (3.23%) and saturated fatty acids (61.67% of total fatty acids) in the colostrum were lower than those found in milk. The nutritional characteristics of colostrum seem to represent a physiological adaptation to the requirements of the lambs.
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